Mechanical motion



S. W. WARDWELL, DECD. c. v. I. cIIIIIsmIsEII, E. c. sMITII, A. A. AIIIIINGIoII. AND w. w; IIARnsIEv, ExEcuTons.

MECHANICAL MOTION. APPLICATION FILED fsu. s. IsIs.

Patented June 27, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHET l.

S. W. WARDWELL', DECD. c.v.1.cHn|sTENsN.E.c.sM|TH.A.A.ARM|NGToN, AND w. w. BARDSLEY, xzcuos. MECHANICAL MOTION.

nPPucMnou m50 res. a. m9.

1,42 1 ,049. Patented June 27, 1922.

3 SHEETS-sneu 2.

S. W. WARDWELL, DECD. c. v. 1. cumsrzusin, QE. c. SMITH, A. A. AAMmGoN. AND w. w. BAADSLEY. Exicurons.

A MECHANICAL MoloN.

APPUCATION FILE-D FEB. 3, 1919. 1,421,049, Patented June 27, 1922.

3 SHEETvS-SHEET 3.

U N i .arsNT ortica.

SIMON W. WARDWELL, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODEy ISLAND; CARL V. J'. CI-IRISCIENSIEN,A

EDWIN C. SMITH, ARTHUR A. ARMINGTON, AND WILLARD W. BARDSLEY, EXECU- TOR-S OF SAID SIMON W. WARDWELL, DECEASED.

MECHANICAL MOTION.

Be it known that I, SIMON Vil. VARD- WELL, `a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence, State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanical Motions, of which the following is a specification. n*

My invention is an improved mechanicalmotion for transforming oscillating act-ion into rotary movement. The object of my iniprovement is to provide means for imparting rotation to a shaft or other machine element from `an oscillating l member adapted for manual operation. My 'improved device may be employed as a driving-mechanism for lathes, grinders and other foot-power machines or may be adapted for various other uses in the different mechanical arts. As herein shown it takes the form of a treadlamotion for rotating a crank-shaft, and a particular feature of the improvement consists in providing means for overcoming the dead center of the crank.

The invention is fully described in the following specification, illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like parts.

In the drawings F ig. 1 is a front view of my improveddevice shown in the form of a treadle-motion,

and illustratingit asy connected to drive a vertical shaft through gearing which is shown in section;

Fig. 2, a view of the device in side elevation;

Fig. 3, a detail view in part section of the mounting for the treadle; and

Figs. 4. 5 and 6, diagrammatic views showing` the motion in several different positions of operation.

Referring first to Figsl and 2, 2 designates ka vertical shaft which may serve as the poweror drive-element for a machine or other apparatus. As shown more particularly in Fig. 1, the shaft 2 is journaled in a sleeve Vor bushing 3 which forms a quill-like extension of a gear-casing 4. The bushing 3 is fitted to the bore of a split-bearing` 5 which is integral with an arm 6 projecting from a leg or standard 7, the latter being a part of the machine frameor of any structure as most convenient for supporting the apparatus. The bushing 3 is heldin the Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 27, 1922 Application led February 3, 1919.

Serial No. 274,673.

split-bearing5by means of a binder-screw 8 which clamps the two parts of the bearing therearound. The split in the bearing 5 extends longitudinally of the arm 6 to adapt it to receive a relatively thin fin 9 projectingA Vis a bevel-gear 14 constructed in the form of a relatively thin disk having a hub 15 abutting the end of the bearing 11 and secured to the shaft by a cross-pin 16. The geary 14 carries a balance-wheel 17 which is constructed as an integral part thereof by casting the metal on both sides of the disk while allowing it to` flow through openings therein. The halancewheel 17 overhangs the side of the gear14 across substantially the whole width of the gear-case 4 and is provided with a hub 18 abutting the inner end of the bearing `12. The gear 14 isrprovided with struck-up teeth 19 which mesh with the teeth 2O of a pinion 21 mounted fast on the lower end of the vertical shaft 2.

On the right-hand end of the shaft 13 is a crank-arm 22 secured thereto by a crosspin 23. Projecting from the side of the arm .22 isa crank-pin 24 to which is pivotally connected a link or pitman 25 extending downwardly to a foot-lever or treadle 26. The pitman 25 is preferably constructed of flat sheet-metal, and at its upper end is formed with an .ear 27 bent around from its side to provide'a parallel extension through which the crank-pin 24 projects tovgive a more extended bearing. Adjacent its lower end the pitman 25 is provided on its side with another ear 28 bent across at rightangles and then parallel with its main portion to provide a two-part bearing similar to that at its upper end. The opposite parts of the bearing 28 straddle the sides of a hub 29 formed at the end of an arm 30 which curves up from theftreadle 26, and a Crosspin 31 connects the parts to provide a pivot joint therebetween. At its lower extremity the pitman 25 is pivotally connected to the end of a link or radius-rod 32 by means of a cross-pin 33. Preferably, the link 32 is constructed of sheet-metal bent around at its outer end to enclose the sides of the pitman 25 to provide a double bearing for the cross-pin 33 which is riveted therethrough.

The opposite, inner end of the link 32 is pivoted on a horizontal rod or shaft 34 which projects from thel side of the leg 7 and forms the main support for the treadle 26. Tt is to be noted, however, that the treadle 26 is not pivoted directly on the rod 34, but on an axis spaced at a distance above it. This arrangement provides that the pivotal axis of the treadle is maintained eccentric to that of the radius-rod 32, and is adapted to be displaced in an arcuate path in relation thereto in the manner and for the purpose as later explained. As shown in Fig. l, the end of the rod 34 is reduced in diameter and driven into a boss on the side of the leg or standard 7, while its opposite end may be suitably supported from a similar upright or standard 35. The endof the link 32 is enlarged to surround the rod 34, and abutting its side is a pivotal frame or support 36 for the treadle 26. Referring to the detail view, Fig 3, the frame 36 is here shown as constructed of sheet-metal with a horizontal strip or bridge-piece 37 terminating in two downwardly-bent ears 38, 38 pivotally mounted on the rod 34. Extending upwardly7 from the bridge-piece 37 is a vertical plate 39, bent into a-horizontal plane at the top and formed with upright ears 40, 40 at the ends, see also Fig. 2. Referring to Fig. 2, the treadle 26 is constructed with a forward, curved plate 4l adapted to fit the sole of the operators shoe. At its rearward end the plate 41 is depressed to provide a heel-pocket 42 which is surrounded by a curved rim 43. The rim 43 extends along the right-hand side of the sole-plate 41 in a flange 44 which rises abruptly to form the arm 30, previously dcscribed, to which the pitman 25 is connected, see also Fig. 1. On the under side of the treadle 26, adjacent the jog between its soleplate 41 and heelfpocket 42, are two lugs 45, 45 adapted to abut the outer sides of the ears 40, 40 on the bearing-frame or support 36. A cross-pin or wire-rod 46 extends transversely through bores in the ears 40 and lugs 45 to serve as a pivot on which the treadle rocks. To secure the rod 46 in place it is bent around in under the top of the frame 36 in an extension 47 formed with a hooked end 48 inserted through a hole 49 in the bridge-piece 37. To remove the rod 46 the hook 48 may be sprung out of the hole 49.

The frame 36 on which the treadle 26 is pivoted is held in position longitudinally of the rod 34 by means of a spacing-member or clip 50 shown in Figs. l and 2. This element takes the form of a strip of sheet-metal having an ear 5l surrounding the reduced end of the rod 34 and held between the shoulder on the rod and the boss on the upright 7. From the ear 51 the strip extends alongthe top of the rod 34 and is then bent downwardly at right-angles in the vertical portion 52 which surrounds the main part of the rod. Qn the under side of the rod 34 the clip is bent into a U-shaped loop 53 which reaches up at the side of one ofthe ears 38 on the frame 36. Tt has already been explained that the ear 38 abuts the side of the link 32 and the two parts are held together, and in spaced relation with thefupright 7, by the loop 53 on the clip 50 as shown in Fig. 1. Tn this way the parts are restrained from lateral movement on the rod 34 while being allowed to oscillate about the axis of the rod.

Having now described the construction and arrangement of the parts of my improved apparatus, its method of operation will next be explained. As before noted, a particular feat-ure of my improvement con sists in the peculiar method of operation of the motion whereby the dead center of the crank is eliminated or overcome. Fig. 2 shows the motion in position with the crankarm 22 on the upper dead center, the axes of the crank-pin 24, the crank-shaft 13, and the pivot 31 between the pitman 25 and treadle 26 being all in the same plane as represented by the dot-and-dash line A-A. It is also to be noted that the pivotal axis of the treadle 26 is coincident with the vertical plane of the axis of the rockable frame 36, as indicated by the line X-X, and that these two planes A- A and X--X are inclined toward each other at an acute angle. -With the parts in this relation, as the operator places his foot on the treadle 26 his lower leg will naturally assume a position more or less parallel with the plane A-A or, in other words, inclined rear\.vardly from the vertical plane X-X- Stated briefly, the foot rests on the treadle with the leg at right-angles thereto, but inclined back from the perpendicular. 1t will also be noted that with the crank 22 at the top of the stroke the forward end of the treadle is tilted upward above the horizontal. As is well known, the natural manner of oscillating a treadle is by rocking the foot on the axis of the ankle joint. This action will throw the foot forward slightly at each downward movement of the toe while tending to throw it back as the toe is raised. This peculiar motion of the foot is taken advantage of to operate my improved device in such a way as to throw the crank over the dead center. As the sole is pressed down against the treadle 26 there is a marked tendency to push or kick the foot forward and this tendency is utilized to displace the treadle to cause it to act laterally against the pitman 25 to throw the crank 22 over the dead center,.the action being as follows:

Assuming that the fore part of the treadle 26is at the top ofits stroke, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the pressure of the foot on itssoleplate 41 will tend to carry it forward as well as to rock it downwardly. That is to say, the tendency will be to displace the treadle in the direction indicated by the arrow a', Fig. 1, by moving its axis 46 bodily across the vertical plane X-X of the axis of the rod 34, see Fig.-4. As the treadle is pushed forward in this manner it will apply a lateral force against the pitman 25. before explained, the lower end of the pit- I man 25 is connected to the fixed pivot 34 by the radius-rod 32 so that it must always move in a constant arc concentric with the axis of the pivot 34. On the other hand, the pivotal point of connection ofthe treadle 26 with the pitman at 31 being spaced above the pivot 33 its path of movement will be eccentric to the axis of the rod 34. T0 provide for this eccentric movement of the treadleits supporting frame 36 is arranged to oscillate on the axis of the rod 34, as before explained. Now, as the force of the pedal is applied to the pitman in a lateral direction it will'tend to swing its upper end clockwise on the axis of the pivot 33 at its lower end. It is this tendency to rock the pitman 25 on its pivot 33 which carries the crank 22 across center and therefore provides for a much smoother and easier motion in rotating the crank-shaft 13. Moreover, this peculiar action of the treadle laterally on the pitman, as above described, tends to prevent rearward rotation of the crank. That is to say, it will be impossible to turn the crank backward from the position shown in Fig. 2 without pulling or kicking the treadle back, and this would be an unnatural action when the foot is being pressed down.

As the crank 22 turns in the direction indicated by the arrow 2., Fig. 2, the treadle 26 swings forward in the direction indicated by the arrow :v until the crank has been displaced ninety degrees from the vertical. When this point is reached the upper end ofthe pitman starts toward the left and hence thetreadle will then be displaced rearwardly in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow a3, Fig. 2. As the crank 22 reaches the low point in its throw, see Fig. 5, the axis 46 of the treadle 26 will have been carried back to the left of the vertical plane X-X of the axis of the pivot 34, as indicated by the line B-l It will also be observed that at this point the forward or toe-end of the treadle 26 will have been depressed below the horizontal. Now, to rock the treadle upwardly again the pressure of the foot against its forward end must be released while the heel is pressed downwardly. "This uplifting ofthe fore part of the foot-has a natural tendency to kick the heel back, the action being the oppositeA to that when theftoel of the footis depressed. Therefore, as a consequence of this action the tendency-is t0 draw the treadle back to cause, it to exert a pull on thepitmanwhich eases the crank around the lower dead center. This action will be made clear by reference to Figs. 5 and 6 where it is shown that .as .the treadle pivot 46 passes rear-` wardly of the vertical plane X-X of the axis ofthe pivot 34, pressure on its heelpart 42 willtend to rock the pivot 46 still further backas indicated by the arrow y, Fig. 6. It will be understood, of course, that this forward and rearward oscillationy of the treadlev 26 about the -axis Aof the fixed pivot 34 is in addition to its rocking movement on its movable axis 46 and isfprovided for by the hinge arrangement lof the supportingframe 36 shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

It has been explained that theprincipal object of my improved device is to overcome the dead center of the crank in starting the rotation of the crankshaft and itwill also be obvious-that a much smoother, easier and more regular action is effected during the continued operation of the device. That is to say, the crank-shaft will be rotated at a more constant speed without retardation at the dead centers of the crank.y Referring to Fig. 1 the rotation of the crankshaft 13 is transmitted through the gears 14 and 21 to drive the vertical shaft 2, and throughthe latter power may be applied to the machine to Operate its parts with a smooth, easy motion. At the same time,the peculiar motion of the treadle tends to ease the operators foot-action and relieve the muscles from strain or fatigue. |The footaction is so natural and effortless that much less energyis required to produce the maximum power; or, stated another way, all of the energy applied is utilized to the utmost and hence there is less loss of power than with the usual style of treadle-motion- A still further feature of' improvementA of the invention results from the fact that the device is automatic in controlling the direction of rotation of the crank-shaft. That is to say, when the treadle is operated in the natural way ther shaft will always be started in the same direction without tendency to rotate it backward. lf the crank stops on the up stroke, when the pedal is pressed downwardly it must perforce throw the crank to the right or clockwise as above explained; and likewise, in starting from low center the pressure applied to the treadle to raise its toe-end is exerted on the pitman in such a way that the crank will also be rotated in the same direction.

Various modifications might be made in the structure and arrangement of my im proved apparatus Without departingfrom the Vspirit or scope of the invention. Like-v Wise, the principle of operation of the device may be applied to other uses than that herein illustrated. Therefore, Without limiting myselil to the exact embodiment shown and described, what I claim is:

l. In a mechanical-motion, the combination with a rotary crank, 01" a pitman connected at one end to the crank, means con nected to the opposite end of the pitman to define its movement in a fixed path, and manually-operable means for reciprocating the pitman, said means adapted for compound movement to exert a lateral pressure on the pitman to carry the crank across dead center. l

2. In a mechanical-motion, the combination with a rotary crank, of a pitman connected at one end to the crank, means connected to the opposite end of the pitman to prevent relative lateral displacement thereof, a rockable lever connected to reciprocate the pitman tov rotate the crank, and means for mounting said lever to adapt it to be oscillated back and forth with respect to the axis of' the crank to apply a lateral Jforce on the pitman to carry the crank over dead center.

8. In a mechanical-motion, the combination with a rotary crank, of a pitman connected at one end to the crank, means connected to the opposite end of the pitman toA define its movement Within a fixed path, a rockable lever connected to reciprocate the pitman to rotate the crank, and means for pivotally mounting said lever to adapt its axis of oscillation to be displaced to provide for exerting a lateral force on the pitman to carry the crank across dead center.

4. In a mechanical-motion, the combination With a rotary crank, of a pitman connected at one end to the crank, a radius-rod connected to the opposite end of the pitman and pivotally held at its opposite end to maintain it in substantially perpendicular relation to the pitman, and a manuallyoperable lever connected to reciprocate the pitman, said lever rockable on an axis which is relatively displaceable with respect to the axis of the radius-rod.

5. In a mechanical-motion, the combination With a rotary crank, of a pitman connected to rotate the crank, a radius-rod pivoted on a xed axis andv pivotally connected at its opposite end to the end of the pitman,

and a manually-operable lever pivoted to rock on an axis which is oscillatable about the fixed axis of the radius-rod, said lever being` pivotally connected at one end to the pitman at a distance from the pivotal connection of the radius-rod thereto.

6. In a mechanical-motion, the combination With a rotary crank, of a pitman connected to rotate the crank, a radius-rod pivoted on a fixed axis and pivotally connected at its opposite end to the end of the pitman, a foot-lever connected to the pitman at a distance from the pivotal connection of the radius-rod, and a pivotalmounting,` for the treadle adapted for displacement about the fixed axis of the radius-rod.

7. In a mechanical-motion, the combination with a rotary crank, of a pitman connected to rotate the crank, a radius-rod connected to the end of the pitman and pivoted at its opposite end on a fixed axis, a treadlemounting pivoted to rock about the fixed axis of the radius-rod, and a treadle pivoted on said mounting and connected to reciprocate the pitman.

8. In a mechanical-motion, the combination with a rotary crank, of a pitman connected to rotate the crank, a radius-rod pivotally connected to the end of the pitman and pivoted at its opposite end on a fixed axis, a trame pivoted to rock about the fixed axis of the radius-rod, and a treadle pivoted on the frame above the axis of oscillation of the latter and connected to reciprocate the pitman.

9. In a mechanical-motion, the combination with a rotary crank, of a pitman connected at its upper end to the crank, a radius-rod connected to the lower end of the pitman and pivoted at its opposite end on a fixed axis to maintain it in substantially perpendicular relation to the pitman, a member pivoted to rock about the fixed axis of the radius-rod, and a treadle pivoted on said member above its axis of oscillation and connectedto the pitman at a distance from its lower end.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

SIMON WV. WARDI/VELL. 

